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Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Thermal Scanning Conductometry TSC as a General Method for Studying and Controlling the Phase Behavior of Conductive Physical Gels
Published on: January 23, 2018
Consistent DSC and TGA Methodology as Basis for the Measurement and Comparison of Thermo-Physical Properties of Phase
Lukas Müller1, Gabriel Rubio-Pérez2, Andreas Bach3
1Competence Centre Thermal Energy Storage (TES), Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6048 Horw, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Measuring thermo-physical properties of phase change materials (PCM) in a consistent and reliable manner is essential for system layout of thermal energy storages and correspondingly material selection. Only if basic properties are assessed in a comparable way a selection process leads to the top candidate for any given application and thus enhances market penetration of renewable energy sources coupled with thermal energy storage. In this study, we focus on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) as basic assessment techniques and develop consistent measurement procedures to create a database with comparable results. We show consistency of the measured results through analysis of coefficient of variation (CV), being in the mean 1.69%, 0.05%, 0.06% and 4.00% for enthalpy, melting onset, melting peak and maximum operating temperature, respectively. Overall, 23 PCM have been measured with the presented methodology, which was mainly possible due to the reduced measurement and preparation time per PCM compared to standard techniques, while achieving similar accuracy and precision.
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